The Sacramento Poor Peoples Campaign (PPC) held a demonstration, June 23, 2025, in front of the ICE Building in downtown Sacramento, where a couple of hundred activists gathered from different local groups focusing on immigration, deportation, civil rights, and global solidarity against war and genocide. Several speakers addressed the crowd during the event. The protest began with music, a land acknowledgment, and blessings by Michael A. Ramirez; a welcome and introductions by Ruth Ibarra of NorCal Resist and Steven Payan of PPC, Peace and Freedom Party, and Brown Berets; and an opening prayer by Dr. Jennie Thomas, a shaman with the Miwok Band.
Longtime community activists Shireen Miles, with Sacramento Area Congregations Together (Sac ACT); Ahjamu Umi, of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (A-APRP); Sarah Smith-Silverman, of the Sacramento Jewish Voice for Peace (SacJVP); and Sister Brenda Joyce who focused on immigration and deportation, was from the Center on Race, Immigration, and Social Justice and PPC, also spoke. Additionally, Sarah Alzanoon, a member of the Palestinian American League Board; C. T. Weber from the Peace and Freedom Party of California; Rhonda Rios Kravitz of the Sacramento Immigration Coalition and Alianza; Kevin Carter with PPC and also a Peace and Freedom Party member, and Jim Hard from Veterans for Peace condemned the War on Iran.
Faye Wilson Kennedy, PPC, Sac Area Black Caucus, and Peace and Freedom Party member, delivered the closing remarks.
The Sacramento Moral Mondays hosted today’s event in response to significant budget cuts, the erosion of rights, and unjust policies at various levels. Condensed from Faye Wilson Kennedy report
Photo credit: C. T. Weber. Steven Payan (left). Michael A. Ramirez (center) giving land acknowledgement/blessings
Opening prayer led by Jennie Thomas, Shaman with the Miwok Band
On the microphone: Faye Wilson Kennedy, PPC, Sac Area Black Caucus
On the microphone: Sarah Smith-Silverman, of the Sacramento Jewish Voice for Peace (SacJVP)